WTF Is The Bird Theory Test? Why TikTok's Obsessed With This Relationship Experiment

<div><img src="https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/691365f01500007d6f9c2dfc.jpg?ops=scalefit_630_noupscale" alt="" data-caption="" data-credit-link-back="" data-credit="AleksandarGeorgiev via Getty Images" /></div><div class="content-list-component text"><p>There’s a viral trend going around on social media where <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQMye5FiVE1/?utm_source=ig_embed" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">people film themselves telling their partners “I saw a bird today”</a> to see what kind of response it garners.</p><p>If their partner leans in and asks more about the bird, the theory goes it shows they’re interested and is seen as a green relationship flag – if they don’t, and instead mumble or keep scrolling on their phone, it’s seen as the opposite. </p><p>BACP member <a href="https://www.jeddietherapy.com/about" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Jonathan Eddie</a>, a counsellor and psychotherapist based in St Albans, told HuffPost UK the so-called bird theory test is “really just a practical way of analysing the state of our relationships”.</p><p>It’s based on what psychologist and researcher duo, Drs John and Julie Gottman (aka the Gottmans), refer to as “bids for connection”.</p><h3><strong>What is the bird theory test?</strong></h3><p>The idea is that when we reach out to our partners for connection (in this case by saying something like, “look at that bird” or “I saw a bird today”), we’re hoping our partner will respond by “turning towards” us with interest, Eddie explained.</p><p>This might look like them saying: “Oh, what kind of bird was it?” or asking more about what the bird looked like, or where they were when they saw the bird.</p><p>“This builds closene